Wheel bearing? Doesn't move much... Speed dependent noise/hum/vibration from rear passenger side.

[Dtinnc]

Thank you in advance for any help or advice.

Car has about 114k.

When driving I have a consistent hum that is speed dependent. Note - I changed all four rotors and pads about 2,000 miles ago; I don't think it's related but wanted to mention just in case. Also I wouldn't describe as grinding noise.

I checked all four wheel bearings... each wheel off the ground and trying to shake wheel side to side and top to bottom. No noticable click or substantial movement (I didn't use a dial indicator... please advise if our cars require a precise measurement).

I raised rear of car on jack stands and believe that I was able to recreate the sound from 20mph to 60mph as reported on speedo. I checked the driveshaft and it seemed relatively tight. Fluid in the differential is good. Both CV axle shafts could slide in/out but I didn't notice any rotational play. All four CV boots seem ok with no cracks.

Over the years I have had more weight in trunk/rear of car then I would consider average. So I'm still leaning towards bearing(s).

I appreciate any thoughts. Thank you.

 

[joegr]

A bearing would be my first suspect for a hum like that too. The last time I had one, it was on the front and I could not tell by spinning the tire, but after I took the wheel off and the brake caliper, it was very obvious when I spun the hub. There was no sound spinning it by hand, but it felt crunchy. Being sure on the rear will be more difficult due to the drive shafts.

 

[Dtinnc]

A bearing would be my first suspect for a hum like that too. The last time I had one, it was on the front and I could not tell by spinning the tire, but after I took the wheel off and the brake caliper, it was very obvious when I spun the hub. There was no sound spinning it by hand, but it felt crunchy. Being sure on the rear will be more difficult due to the drive shafts.

Thank you. Do you remember how many miles were on the vehicle when you replaced the bearing?

 

[joegr]

Thank you. Do you remember how many miles were on the vehicle when you replaced the bearing?

This was on a Lincoln LS. I think it was over 150K, probably close to 200K. It was random. The other ones were fine at 250K when the car was traded, as were all four on my other one.

 

[Dtinnc]

Just to complete this thread. I finished replacing both rear wheel bearings with Timkin (good quality) bearings and the car is much more quiet - the noise was 100% from the failing passenger side bearing. I replaced the pass side end of 2023 and the driver side about two months ago. All good.

 

[jep604]

Just to complete this thread. I finished replacing both rear wheel bearings with Timkin (good quality) bearings and the car is much more quiet - the noise was 100% from the failing passenger side bearing. I replaced the pass side end of 2023 and the driver side about two months ago. All good.

How many miles on your car at the final fix of this issue?

 

[Dtinnc]

How many miles on your car at the final fix of this issue?

There's 120k on it